Hidan rushed over to her still form. Kneeling over her he swept his vision from her head to her feet. Not knowing if he should touch her.

Kakuzu came over and looked down at Hidan.

"What happened?"

"I don't know."

Hidan continued to watch Suzume. It looked like how he collapsed at the end of his rituals. But, this had not been a normal ritual. She had taken the life of another immortal, something Hidan had never even heard of before. His mind was racing on what he should do. His fingers hovered over her body, still unsure.

"So you decided to come home after all."

Both Hidan and Kakuzu took up fighting stances from the surprise of the unfamiliar voice. The sound of leaves crunching and the movement of branches revealed an old man. He was short, long grey hair came down to the middle of his back, his eyebrows were thick and long. A small smile played on his lips as his grey eyes watched Hidan. He looked well for an old man, the skin around his eyes and mouth were the only places he had traces of wrinkles. He wore a simple blue monsuke with geta on his feet.

As he entered the clearing Hidan's eyes widened with shock realizing who this man was.

"Lord Ryuu?"

"Who's that?"

Kakuzu was still tense at the old man's presence. He didn't like opponents who could hide were they were for so long even to such a skilled ninja as himself.

"He's Rin's grandfather."

Hidan's voice was that of someone who baffled. He had thought his whole village had been killed in Ichiro's quest for revenge, but now, in the span of less then a day he had seen three people from his past.

"Who the hell is Rin?"

Kakuzu's voice was raised in anger as Hidan gave him answers that made no sense to him. 'Rin, Ryuu, who the hell were these people.'

"Rin, was, that girl laying over there."

Ryuu pointed his finger to Rin who was lying a few feet behind Suzume. Kakuzu followed the old man's finger and glanced at the dead body, then returned his attention to Ryuu.

Hidan looked between Ryuu and Suzume. Hoping he could give a reason for the events he had just witnessed.

"What happened to her?"

Hidan's voice was quiet. Almost like he did not want an answer. He was terrified that it would be something he would not like.

"Before I explain anything, you may want to get that spear out of her chest. She's probably having a hard time breathing with it in there."

Hidan nodded and turned back to Suzume's still form. He placed his left hand on Suzume's shoulder while his other hand gripped the spear that was buried within her chest. His hands were shaky as he hesitated. Hidan took a deep breath, then closed his eyes as he pulled the long spike out of Suzume's chest. He tossed the object on the ground and watched the blood slowly come out of her wound. Then, to his amazement, her chest started to rise and fall as she began to take breaths on her own. He breathed a sigh of relief as he saw signs of life.

"She will take a while to recover from her first ritual. Come, I have a place not too far from here where we can talk."

As Ryuu started to turn and walk away, Hidan brought his arms under Suzume. Gently guiding her body closer to his until he was carrying her bridal style. He raised his arm and repositioned until her head was neatly tucked into the space between his chest and arm. When he was satisfied he had a good grip he turned and faced Ryuu who was standing atop a tree branch waiting for them to follow.

Hidan and Kakuzu lept from tree branch to tree branch following Ryuu.

"Hidan. Can we really trust him?"

"Huh? Of course we can trust him. He use to be my dad's right hand man. I would put my own life in his hands."

"Hidan we just killed his granddaughter."

Kakuzu's tone was hushed. He didn't like the idea of going off with someone who could so easily hide his presence from them.

"I told you it's fine."

But even as he spoke, Hidan's mind was wavering. They had killed his only grandchild. He glanced down at Suzume in his arms, vowing again to protect her.

"I hope it's be fine."

Kakuzu scowled at his stupid partner. He made a mental note to never let Hidan pick a mission again, let alone a personal one.

Ryuu led them to a small wooden house nestled deep within the forest. Far enough away from any village or town to go unnoticed.

Kakuzu glanced over the outside and surrounding area before walking in behind Ryuu and Hidan. They were led into the middle room of the house. It was traditional with tatami mats spanning the whole length of the floor, screen walls and a small table with cushions in the center of the room.

Ryuu sat down on the far side of the room and invited Hidan and Kakuzu to sit across the table from him. Hidan gentle repositioned Suzume in his arms as he sat down. She was now sideways in his lap with her head tucked under his chin. Kakuzu took a moment to once again survey his surroundings before sitting with Hidan.

"I'm sure you have many questions to ask me. I will make some tea for us to talk over."

Ryuu looked at Kakuzu with a small smile on his face.

"Lord Ryuu, I can fill Kakuzu in as you make tea."

Ryuu let out a laugh as he turned to grab the supplies for the tea.

"I think it would be better for you to go into the other room and clean your bride up. You'll find a fresh kimono for her in the closet."

Ryuu turned to look back on Hidan when he did not respond. His face was turned away staring off at something in the corner of the room.

"What is troubling you Hidan? You were never this shy when you were a child."

"I just….I don't know what to do."

Ryuu turned to face Hidan leaving the tea instruments behind him.

"Come."

Ryuu stood and beconded for Hidan to do the same. He did such with Suzume back in his arms. He followed Ryuu to a side room, leaving Kakuzu still on edge.

Ryuu closed the door behind them. The side room was similar to the other room, tatami mats lined the floor and screened walls surrounded them. The only difference was that this room was smaller and did not have a table.

Ryuu sat on the floor and again motioned for Hidan to follow his lead.

"What is troubling you Hidan?"

Hidan readjusted again as he sat, cradling Suzume. He gave a deep sigh before answering.

"Lord Ryuu, you granddaughter is dead, I broke my promise to be with partnered with Rin, we are the last of the clan, and I don't know what to do about her."

Hidan looked down at Suzume when he said 'her'. His eyes holding sorrow at the mess he had made. Hidan let his eyes close as he recalled all the events that had led him to this point.

"My granddaughter could not be helped Hidan, she chose her path and followed it to the end. It seems to actually have went according to plan."

As Hidan looked up he saw that Ryuu was looking down at Suzume. Ryuu's eyes gently looked back to meet Hidan's.

"You remind me a lot of your father Hidan. I don't know if you would have been happy with Rin. She was cold. Make no mistake she did like you, but I do not know if it would have lasted long. You were always dreaming about meeting someone like your mother. Someone that would love you as much as you loved them. Granted, you did it in the reverse way that your father did, but you still seem to be making it work."

Ryuu gave Hidan a small smile.

"Well, now that we've settled the Rin thing you may want to get her cleaned up. You'll find a black kimono in the draw over there and there is a small bath beyond the back wall here."

As Ryuu got up to leave he looked over at Hidan to find a small blush come to his face. Puzzled, he continued to watch as Hidan looked around the room making no attempt to get up and start.

"Hidan? Have you never seen a women nacked before?"

"Of course I have! Plenty! But, …. She's just….."

Hidan didn't know what was wrong with him. He had been with plenty of women to know what they look like without clothes on. But thinking about Suzume like that made him question his actions. He let out another deep sigh as he contemplated what to do.

"Very well. I guess I shall have to sent for some company to help."

Ryuu saw the confused and questioning look Hidan was giving him and continued.

"There are some in nearby towns and villages that were still curious about us. They are not true followers, but they help out when I need them."

Ryuu excused himself back into the other room.

"If I recall correctly you are somewhat of a bounty hunter, no?"

Kakuzu did not answer. He only stared at the old man in front of him.

"Well if that's the case the village to the west of here is said to harbor someone in one of those bingo books you all seem to carry. If you're interested."

Kakuzu said nothing as he watched the old man walk past him and back out the main door they came in. As soon as he could no longer feel his presents he lifted himself to his feet and called to his partner.

"Hidan! I'm off to go get some money. Don't do anything stupid."

Hidan looked over to give Kakuzu a piece of his mind when he saw that he was already out the door. He made a mental note to piss Kakuzu off later as he waited for Ryuu to return.

Hidan heard the sound of footsteps approaching the small home. He opened his eyes and lifted his head from the top of Suzume's to see Ryuu come through the doorway along with four young women. They all wore the same shade of light blue kimono and, standing behind Ryuu, had their heads slightly bowed.

"Hidan, meet Aikoi, Fumiko, Hana, and Haia. They will be taking care of Suzume until she recovers."

Hidan gave a small bow with his head as the women approached him. He carefully handed Suzume over as they each took an arm or leg and carried her to the bathroom. Hidan stood and watched them close the door.

"Hidan. Why don't I make us some of that tea I was talking about earlier? It seems like we have a lot to talk about."

Hidan began to walk over to Ryuu as they entered the tea room. With one last glance he closed the door and sat down with Ryuu.